Ward: South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Personnel, Events, Property & Assets, CCTV

DTC Delegate: Chair of the Driffield Healthy Town project

Trustee: The Wold Rangers Way

Trustee: Driffield Men In Sheds

Patron: Yorkshire Wolds Railway

Trustee: Humberside Scouts

Member of Driffield Agricultural Society

With my roots in Driffield and the Wolds, I care about Driffield and always strive to promote the Town and the Wolds area in everything I do.  I take my role on Driffield Town Council seriously because I’ve come to know, first hand, that through commitment and involvement in various committees and working groups, positive progress can be made.

Email: CllrMBlakeston@Driffieldtowncouncil.gov.uk

Ward: South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: CCTV

DTC Delegate: Driffield Partnership Board, Community Centre Management Committee, Driffield Youth Action

Trustee: Driffield Youth Action

Trustee: Driffield Community Centre

Trustee: Driffield & District Skate & BMX Park Ltd.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward: North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Personnel, Planning, Property & Assets, Allotment, Grievance

DTC Delegate: None

Trustee: Driffield Millennium Green Trust

Originating from the East Riding of Yorkshire (Bridlington), I grew up in rural North Yorkshire in Ryedale, so have very firm roots within the countryside, with strong agricultural connections. I moved to Driffield with my job, having worked in education for a number of years. I run a small holding on the edge of Driffield which helps keep my hand in with my passion for agriculture and the countryside and I am the landlord of The Original Keys in Market Place.

Being part of Driffield Town Council means a great deal to me, because I feel that being part of the decision making for this great town is an important role and should not be taken lightly. Our town needs people to help guide and push forward, develop and create a Driffield ready to evolve for the next generation.

Town councillors do their best for this town and people will agree or disagree with our policies and the decisions which are being made, but this is all part of the fun. Local governance does not have to be dull and boring and I appeal to people of all ages, from all walks of life, to get involved and become part of Driffield Town Council when positions become available.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward: North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Allotments, Market, CCTV

DTC Delegate: None

Trustee: The League of Friends of the Alfred Bean Hospital

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward:  North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Planning, CCTV, Property & Assets, Personnel, Grievance, Environment

Delegate: None

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward: South Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees:  Events

DTC Delegate:  None

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward:  South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Allotments, Environment, Market, Events, Grievance, Planning

DTC Delegate:  None

Email:  Contact Town Clerk

Ward: South West Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Planning, Allotment, Environment, Property and Assets, Events

DTC Delegate:  None

I have lived in Driffield my whole life.  I am proud of our town.  My family all live in and around Driffield and have been supportive of me in many aspects including my council duties.  I worked my way through the local schools and after trying my hand at several different jobs, I now work in Cranswick for a successful business and have been there for 14 years.

Outside of the council and work, my interests are walking, reading and archery.  I am the chairman of my local archery club, Wolds Archers, which is based in Brandesburton.  I have been shooting for around 5 years now and find it a very rewarding sport.

I am now in my third term on the Driffield  Town Council.  I look forward to another 4 years of hard work and dedication, all with the aim to make Driffield a town that everyone can be as proud of as I am.

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward: South Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Events, Market, Personnel

DTC Delegate:  Friends of North End Park

Email: Contact Town Clerk

Ward: North Ward – Uncontested May 2023

Committees: Planning, Environment, Events

DTC Delegate:  None

I have lived in Driffield and surrounding villages all my life. My family live here and the Watson side of the family have farmed in the area for generations, so I feel I have a strong connection with the area – it’s basically where I feel at home.

As a town councillor I have an opportunity to make a difference to people locally, and try and champion local causes at higher levels and try and change things for the better.

It saddens me to see land and buildings in the town degrading into ruin. With the lack of social housing and local people priced out of the housing market, it seems ridiculous we can’t use these buildings to help solve these issues. As a Town Council we must keep pressure on the owners of land and buildings being left unoccupied so they can be transformed into something good for the town.

I always like to look forward, and I also care deeply about the environment. Our town has to be ready for the challenges of climate change and be at the forefront of change. I have been heavily involved with Electric Vehicle charging coming to Driffield and will push for more charging infrastructure in the town.

As well as looking forward, we have to face the environmental issues happening right now on our doorsteps. I’m against fracking, and will continue to fight against it.

I believe in social justice and equality, being in a minority group myself I know how hard life can be sometimes, so I will always help in the struggle for an equal society.

Driffield is a special place, a lovely town and community filled with people who want the best for it. There is always room to improve and develop but we must be mindful as to keep our market town charming and distinctive. I will champion local businesses so the town can be the best it can be, offer residents a diverse array of opportunities to drive the towns economy and bring people to the town from further afield.

Ultimately, I want to improve Driffield for the better, for the residents that live here and for the people that visit and contribute to the local economy. It’s my home town and I’m passionate about making it a nicer place for everyone.

Email:  cllrtwatson@driffieldtowncouncil.gov.uk